Media Release: Scene set for Saints & Sinners 2013, as racegoers flock to summer sizzler to support charity

- Hamilton Park ready for annual Saints & Sinners Racenight and will donate £5 for every ticket sold to help support causes across Scotland -

HAMILTON Park Racecourse is set for the annual Saints & Sinners Racenight tonight (Thursday) – with thousands of charitable racegoers expected to flock to the Bothwell Road venue and support good causes.

Says a spokesperson: “The celebrated summer social event, a true highlight of the Scottish racing year, made a triumphant return to Lanarkshire last year following a four-year hiatus and is back again this evening.

“While there will be plenty of Saints and no shortage of Sinners, it is charities across Scotland who will be the biggest winners with Hamilton Park donating £5 from every ticket purchased and £6 from every hospitality seat sold to the overall fund.

“The Saints & Sinners Club of Scotland, founded in 1964, held the charity’s first racenight at Hamilton Park the following year.

“The meeting attracts supporters from across Scottish society with famous faces from the worlds of TV, film, entertainment and sport expected to be in attendance when the first of seven races starts at 6.20pm. Gates open at 4.20pm and tickets are £20.”

Hamilton Park chief executive, Vivien Kyles, said: “There has been tremendous excitement in the build-up to tonight and it’s great that we have a fixture both rich in history but which can still create such a unique buzz.

“The important bit, of course, is that so many small charities are supported by Saints & Sinners with the added bonus that thousands of people can enjoy the electric atmosphere not to mention so much racing and entertainment along the way.

“Hamilton Park is proud of its longstanding partnership with Saints & Sinners and delighted to be able to donate money to the cause for every paying customer who comes through the gates tonight. So our message to people is to come along, have a brilliant night and support a great charity.”

Among the charities who will receive pockets of funding from the overall pot raised by Saints & Sinners on Thursday are Riding for the Disabled Association, Victim Support, the Jeely Piece Club and Lodging House Mission.

Each charity will be represented by one of 100 red and white balloons which will be let loose into the night sky following the final race at 9.20pm. The balloon found furthest afield will win the lucky finder tickets to attend a later meeting at Hamilton Park.

In keeping with all of Hamilton Park’s meetings in 2013, racing diehards can enjoy an action-packed card featuring seven races throughout the evening, with a total prize value of £39,000. The featured race on the night, worth £10,000, is the EBF Captain JC Stewart Fillies Handicap Stakes.

The evening meeting will also feature a carnival of entertainment including live music from Jim McMail, fire performers, dancers, jugglers and stilt walkers. Visitors will also be encouraged to enter Saints & Sinners’ hotly-contested Best Dressed Couple competition, which this year will again feature some fantastic prizes.

For more information about Hamilton Park Racecourse or to purchase advanced tickets, please visit www.hamilton-park.co.uk.

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